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TAIWAN DELEGATION EXPLAINS REFERENDUM IN PARIS

2004-01-12 18:46:32

Paris, Jan. 12 (CNA) It is only natural for democratic countries
to have referendums and it is wrong to say that the holding of a
referendum will trigger cross-Taiwan Strait war, the head of a Taiwan
delegation to Europe said Sunday.

Byron S.J. Weng, a Presidential Office adviser, made the remarks
at a meeting in Paris, the first stop of the delegation's European
tour aimed at explaining President Chen Shui-bian's referendum plan
in the wake of widespread criticism from various major powers around
the globe.

According to Weng, the holding of a referendum will galvanize the
Taiwan people and make them concerned about the fate of the nation.

There is nothing wrong with Taiwan holding a referendum, but
because the Beijing authorities have interpreted the plan as a move
toward Taiwan independence and, according to Weng, have influenced
the views of the United States, which is currently preoccupied with
Iraq and North Korea problems and needs Beijing's assistance in
dealing with them, the U.S. has expressed misgivings about the
planned referendum.
"The government's decision to push through the referendum on
March 20 will not be changed because of the views of foreign
governments," Weng said.

Chuang Suo-han, delegation member and vice minister of the
Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, also addressed concerns on the
theme, timing and possible effects of the referendum.

He said the referendum will be held March 20 to coincide with the
presidential election because the turnout rate for the presidential
election will be high and it is better to have more people
participating in public policy debate. The other reason is to save
money, Chuang said, adding that if the referendum is held separately
from the presidential election, the cost would reach NT$500 million
(US$14.7 million).

Huang Wei-feng, a delegation member and scholar, said that on one
hand, the referendum will galvanize the people and on the other, will
declare to the international community that the Taiwan people want a
peaceful living environment.

On the agenda of the referendum, the delegation members said only
that they will bring back the views from all sides for the reference
of the government.

Nearly 100 overseas Chinese and students attended the meeting.

The delegation had already met with two French parliamentarians
and was scheduled to meet with news media Monday.

The delegation's next stop will be Strasbourg, where it will
visit the European Parliament before continuing on to Berlin Tuesday.